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Story: Ports and harbours

A cutter loading wheat

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A cutter loading wheat

Small sailing vessels were the lifelines of the colonial economy. Even after steamers took over the main routes, small cutters, ketches and schooners continued to carry farm produce and bulk cargoes. This cutter loading wheat on Tāmaki beach, Auckland, in 1908 shows the versatility of these small craft.

Using this item

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira

Reference: DU 436.1238 P19

Permission of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Gavin McLean, Ports and harbours – Beachheads and beginnings, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/5988/a-cutter-loading-wheat (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Gavin McLean, published 2 March 2009, updated 30 July 2015.